Climate Change Challenges India’s Dairy Sector as Heatwaves and Disease Threaten Livestock

According to studies, such as the one conducted by India’s Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, sudden extreme temperature changes can reduce milk production by 10-30%. A 2022 study warned that climate change could cut milk production in India's northern plains by 361,000 tonnes by 2039, causing estimated losses of $142 million.

In addition to direct effects on animals, climate change is disrupting the availability of feed and water sources, making farming more expensive. Farmers are seeing fodder prices skyrocket due to unpredictable weather patterns, further diminishing profitability. Buffaloes, with their vulnerability to heat stress, are especially at risk as water scarcity and the loss of traditional wallowing ponds compound their challenges.

The Indian dairy sector, which relies heavily on small farmers and cooperatives like Amul, is at a crossroads. Despite government efforts to increase milk production, many small farmers are being forced out of business due to rising costs and the effects of climate change. The National Livestock Mission, while aimed at boosting productivity, has largely ignored the pressing threat posed by climatic variability.

As climate change continues to strain the sector, India’s dairy farms are grappling with both immediate and long-term impacts, including higher operational costs, dwindling productivity, and growing risks of disease.